GuitarDistortedRiff
I Believe in a Thing Called Love Guitar Tone Settings
The Darkness · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (1968, 'The Darkness' model)
Pickups
Humbuckers (likely Gibson PAF-style, stock on 1968 Les Paul Custom)
Amp
Marshall Superlead 1959SLP (Plexi) into Marshall 1960AX/BX 4x12 cabinets
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2002-2003 for 'Permission to Land'. Multiple sources confirm Justin Hawkins used a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom into a Marshall Superlead 1959SLP with no pedals for the main riff. No evidence of pedals or effects for the riff section; amp was cranked for natural overdrive.
Amp Settings
Mids7.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb2.5
Treble7.5
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and punchy
- aggressive British crunch
- mid-forward presence
- saturated but clear
- percussive attack
- bright but not harsh
- full-bodied
- articulate riff definition
- high-output humbucker bite
- classic hard rock rhythm